John Giles and Br Kevin Crowley to receive Freedom of Dublin

Former Ireland and Leeds United footballer John Giles is to receive the Freedom of Dublin

Brother Kevin Crowley and John Giles are to receive the Freedom of the City of Dublin following a vote by Councillors this evening.

The award acknowledges the contribution of recipients to the life of Ireland’s capital city.

Mr Burke said he was, "honoured and privileged to propose Brother Kevin Crowley and John Giles for Dublin City's highest award, the Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin. Both men are very worthy recipients and are known and admired throughout Ireland and the world for their achievements and work with those in need."

Br Crowley founded The Capuchin Day Centre in Bow Street in 1969 to help homeless people in Dublin city.

Mr Giles was a professional footballer who spent most of his club career with Leeds United, earning 59 caps for Ireland along the way. He also served as manager of the Irish team for much of the 1970s.

Mr Giles now works as a soccer analyst with RTÉ.

Both men join former US presidents John F Kennedy and Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, the members of U2, former Dublin football manager Kevin Heffernan, and Aung San Suu Kyi who have all received the award in the past, while Fr Peter McVerry and Brian O’Driscoll also received the award earlier this year.

Amongst the ancient privileges afforded by the award is the right to graze sheep on common ground within the city boundaries, and the right to vote in municipal and parliamentary elections.

The nomination of both men by Lord Mayor of Dublin Christy Burke was broadly welcomed, although a number of Councillors, including Labour’s Rebecca Moynihan, complained about the lack of women receiving the honour.

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